A Connecticut native born and raised in the Hartford area, Kelly has been a faculty member at IMS since 2018. Prior to that, she taught in New York City from 2011 to 2018 in varied settings. These included a charter school in Harlem, the New-York Historical Society, and an independent school in the Chelsea neighborhood. At IMS, Kelly chairs the science department and teaches fifth and sixth grade science. She is also the dorm head of Upper West, associate director of the theater program, an advisor, and the head coach of the dance team.

Kelly holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Sarah Lawrence College, and an M.S. in Childhood Education from Bank Street College of Education. She lives on campus with her husband and two children.